Definitive Technology SuperCube I Brochure

"If you want to add the
ultimate horsepower
to your home theater
system, purchase a
SuperCube Reference
Subwoofer and
buckle up."
I hate titles that give away the
review—typically they leave little to
be revealed. However, that won't be
the case here. My experience with
the SuperCube Reference subwoofer
is an ongoing one in which I learn
something new every day.
have had the pleasure of reviewing
I
audio components for the better part
of the past decade, and the misfor-
tune of watching one company after
another "sworn to high fidelity"
steadily trade performance for price or
market share.
Business is business for sure, but that
doesn't mean it isn't shameful at times.
There are a few companies, however, that
refuse to shame mother fidelity—and
Definitive Technology is one of those few.
"finally a single woofer
that delivers the
performance of two."
Several months ago, I reviewed over twen-
ty subwoofers in the first ever Subwoofer
Shakedown Special for DVD ETC. Like a
night at the fights, there were a few surpris-
es in the lightweight division—though every-
one was waiting for the heavyweight match
DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY
SUPERCUBE REFERENCE
"Some Companies Still Have A Love For Audio"
"This subwoofer is as
perfect as they come."
up. That match up came down to a three-
way battle between an Infinity Intermezzo
1.2s, a Velodyne HGS-18 THX Ultra II, and
a Definitive Technology SuperCube I. While
each subwoofer held its own under extreme
testing, the Velodyne would eventually
emerge the champion. This was never
designed as a face-off, but it quickly
became one. Like thugs roaming an alley,
there was little option.
"I am amazed that such
strength on the low end
can come from such a tiny
enclosure—stunning."
As in any fight, there were highlights to
talk about from each contender, but it came
down to which could deliver the hammering
knock-out punch. In the end, the massive
18-inch Velodyne did so with authority.
Soon after the reviews were printed I
received a phone call from Sandy Gross,
President and Founder of Definitive
Technology. I held the phone away from my
ear slightly, thinking he was going to start
ranting (not an uncommon occurrence in
my profession). Instead it was an excited
and youthful voice, "So you liked it, eh?"
Sandy did not attempt to argue the validity
The Definitive Technology SuperCube Reference features a
14-inch woofer powered by a 1,800-watt Class D amplifier.
of my findings, nor did he demand a
rematch, he simply offered me the first
crack at the SuperCube Reference sub-
woofer.
Unique Features
What is perhaps most unique to the
SuperCube Reference subwoofer is the driv-
er selection. Here, three 14-inch woofers
are employed. A single active (powered) pis-
ton is pressure coupled to two passive (non-
powered) radiators. The active woofer is
powered by an astounding 1,800-watt
Class D amplifier. (This is four or five times
the power of standard subwoofers.) The
footprint is very compact at roughly 16.5-
inches square and under 17-inches tall.
"My entire home felt as
though it was sliding off
the foundation."
On the back, you can expect to find
standard features common with many
subs, including low-level (RCA-type) and
high-level (line-level) ins and outs, LFE
Direct in, variable high-pass and low-pass
filters, gain and even a 0 to 180-degree vari-
able phase adjustment. The speaker-level
inputs are high quality gold plated binding
posts—a nice touch, though I doubt